Cesc Fabregas: The journey so far for Arsenal's Barca-bound captain

19 May 2010 00:17:14

Arsenal fans might feel a sense of anger and loss at Cesc Fabregas wanting to leave, but let's make one thing clear - he is rejoining Barcelona.
Fabregas was born there, loves the club and always has and, as far as they are concerned, he is the one that got away. Fabregas joined the club's academy, La Masia, aged 10 and grew up alongside Victor Valdes, Lionel Messi and Gerard Pique.
Top class: Fabregas (back right) at Barcelona with fellow budding stars Pique (back left) and Messi (front right)
But while that trio joined the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta in the first team, Fabregas sensed a lack of opportunities there.
Waiting in the wings was Arsene Wenger who, having heard of Fabregas from his scouts, believed the Spaniard could be the jewel in his crown at Arsenal.
Wenger wanted to build a team around the 15-year-old. We all know what followed.
Fabregas's amazing rise to become Arsenal captain and one of the Premier League's best midfielders has been a joy to watch, but he always said he would return to Catalonia eventually and Barcelona are desperate to welcome him home. It was a question of when, not if.
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